A year later, 'pizza bomber' is still a puzzle

Aug. 22, 2004

Philadelphia Inquirer: ERIE, Pa. — One year ago, pizza delivery driver Brian Wells was killed when a bomb attached to a collar around his neck exploded after he had robbed a bank. Today, the mystery remains:

Was Wells duped into committing the bank robbery after his last delivery, as he claimed in the moments before his death? Or was he a willing participant?

His family insists he's innocent and wants his name cleared, something authorities aren't ready to do.

State troopers apprehended Wells on Aug. 28 shortly after he had robbed a PNC Bank branch in Summit Towne Centre, just south of Erie. He was stopped in an eyeglass shop parking lot, where he apparently was trying to follow instructions in a nine-page note investigators recovered along with a cane gun from his car. The bomb exploded as Wells, 46, sat handcuffed in front of his Geo Metro while police waited for the bomb squad.

"Pretty much, we're looking forward to the day when everyone responsible for Brian's death is brought to justice," Wells' brother, John Wells, said by telephone from his home in Glendale, Ariz.